I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[Haley R]

It's not just people going to Japan but people going to the us to visit family etc. Just give it a few weeks of not checking everyday, which isn't really necessary this far out anyway.

Should always have at least a plan b that isn't just moving dates around.

Our plan b was British airways but we might need to have a plan c now lol

 

[AmyAnne]

Argh I am so rusty at this points/miles thing . . . I booked a Southwest flight last night paying cash (well, a cc) because I didn't have enough miles. This morning I remembered that I (probably?) can transfer Chase UR points to Southwest.

A few questions. First, is this correct--I can transfer UR points to Southwest? And second, assuming this is possible, is this a reasonable option? The flight is about $500 and the points fare is about 40,000 points, so not a great use of UR points but not terrible either.

 

[wanderlust7]

Argh I am so rusty at this points/miles thing . . . I booked a Southwest flight last night paying cash (well, a cc) because I didn't have enough miles. This morning I remembered that I (probably?) can transfer Chase UR points to Southwest.

A few questions. First, is this correct--I can transfer UR points to Southwest? And second, assuming this is possible, is this a reasonable option? The flight is about $500 and the points fare is about 40,000 points, so not a great use of UR points but not terrible either.

You can transfer if you have a CSR/CSP/CIP.

The nice thing about points is that if you need to cancel, you get your points back and taxes refunded. But now that travel funds don't expire, that's less of a benefit.

 

[Princess Michele]

You should be fine to apply for the CIU.

Thank you. I just applied and received the "We will let you know message" but then I checked my email and had an approval email.

Sorry to hear about your flight issues on your last trip. I enjoy reading about your trips. They give me ideas for future trips.

 

[platamama]

Argh I am so rusty at this points/miles thing . . . I booked a Southwest flight last night paying cash (well, a cc) because I didn't have enough miles. This morning I remembered that I (probably?) can transfer Chase UR points to Southwest.

A few questions. First, is this correct--I can transfer UR points to Southwest? And second, assuming this is possible, is this a reasonable option? The flight is about $500 and the points fare is about 40,000 points, so not a great use of UR points but not terrible either.

I agree with @wanderlust7 and will add that IME, a RR is worth 1.3-1.4 cents (double that if you have a CP). If you can do better than that with your UR points, then it's not a great use of URs, but like you said not terrible either. When it comes to airlines, I think it's better to book directly with the airline over using the Chase travel portal. Many people have had hassles/issues dealing with refunds with flights booked through OTAs.

 

[lsutigers03]

If I'm approved for the AMEX Business Plat in May will I be able to use the Dell credits before the end of June or is there a waiting period? Also I saw that there were recent issues with buying Xbox gift cards. Is that still a problem?

 

[platamama]

If I'm approved for the AMEX Business Plat in May will I be able to use the Dell credits before the end of June or is there a waiting period? Also I saw that there were recent issues with buying Xbox gift cards. Is that still a problem?

You should be ok to use the Dell credits before end of June, just make sure to enroll in the benefit first (look under "Benefits" when logged into your card account). And make your Dell purchase as soon as possible so that it posts before end of June; Dell won't post on your credit card until Dell ships the order regardless of the order date. As far as the Xbox gc, I've never done it because I have no use for them, but even so with all the problems I'd steer clear personally. Maybe you can experiment with it starting in July, so that if it doesn't pan out then you still have six months to figure out how to use your Dell credits.

 

[amcc]

If anyone is looking at London for this summer, I saw that AA released OW Websaver fares (25k AA) and additional points fares (30k) plus $5.60. I had booked back in September and the flight had gone up to 50k-60k but I was checking for my son's friend who is joining us. NOTE: Economy!

 

[afan]

Our plan b was British airways but we might need to have a plan c now lol

If both BA and AA get the same jal flights at the same time that's not a plan b that's two different ways to book the same flight. With partner flights if it's not on one it won't be on the other.

 

[IFlossU]

If anyone is looking at London for this summer, I saw that AA released OW Websaver fares (25k AA) and additional points fares (30k) plus $5.60. I had booked back in September and the flight had gone up to 50k-60k but I was checking for my son's friend who is joining us. NOTE: Economy!

What route/dates are you seeing this on?

 

[StephPlum]

has anyone had more than 4 total? We have each had 2 of each, but they are just such great SUBs

5 ink. 1 SW. I need to cancel some just to clean up.

 

[Princess Michele]

The timing looks fine to me from the standpoint of Chase velocity approvals. If you could move the 5/23 SW Biz to 4/23, I might recommend that.

As for CP timing, if the goal is to have CP in hand by the mid-August, that doesn't seem realistic. But I don't usually book my companion tickets until a few months prior to the trip. I book the primary ticket as soon as schedule releases, then check frequently for price reductions. I don't book the companion ticket until later bc if there is a price reduction, I have to cancel the companion ticket in order to change the primary ticket, and then rebook both. So it's a hassle. I haven't been burned yet, but it could happen.

If you need CP in hand at the time of schedule release, I would allow probably two months after card app. I just apped on 1/22 and it seems my statement will close on 2/15, so that's about a month, but always good to give yourself buffer.

IDK if you've looked into when the schedules are releasing, but right now it seems like only about 8 months of schedule will be open at max. "On February 9, 2023, we will open our schedule for sale through October 4, 2023" So my guess is that July 2024 wouldn't open until more like December 2023, but perhaps you've looked at more historical openings and have a better idea.

I just applied and was approved for a CIU today which is why I was looking at 5/23 for the SW Biz. Would I be able to move the SW Biz to 4/23? Maybe the end of April?

Thank you for the information regarding the CP and rebooking hassles. I did not know if I would need the CP in hand at the time of schedule release. I just started looking again at this summer's data for Hawaii to get an idea for our 2024 trip. The Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away plus were not available for return flights from Honolulu for the dates we would be returning if we were going this year. I just looked and there are now Wanna Get Away fares showing. If I am understanding correctly when I go to book my companion ticket it does not matter if the only fares available are Business Select or Anytime as long as there is availability in one of the categories? If that is the case then I do not need the CP when the schedule is released.

I did look at the historical openings and it is pretty inconsistent. Flights for 2018 and 2021 for July opened in August, 2019 in September, 2020 and 2023 in October, and 2022 in December. I was targeting mid-August as the earliest but it will probably be later. I just wanted to be prepared in case it was early.

If I cannot apply for the SW Biz until May would it be safer to wait until August to apply for the SW personal? I know 3 months is the recommended spacing and I do not want to have a problem earning the CP. Thanks.

 

[platamama]

I did not know if I would need the CP in hand at the time of schedule release. I just started looking again at this summer's data for Hawaii to get an idea for our 2024 trip. The Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away plus were not available for return flights from Honolulu for the dates we would be returning if we were going this year. I just looked and there are now Wanna Get Away fares showing. If I am understanding correctly when I go to book my companion ticket it does not matter if the only fares available are Business Select or Anytime as long as there is availability in one of the categories? If that is the case then I do not need the CP when the schedule is released.

You are correct. As long as the CP holder has a booking, the companion can be added on later even if it's a more expensive fare. I will often delay adding the companion until much closer to the departure date so that I can rebook a fare drop for the CP holder more easily. You do run the risk of the flight being sold out if you wait too long though. I have run into that, but didn't panic, and a seat opened up later on. I just had to keep checking back.

 

[becauseimnew]

I just applied and was approved for a CIU today which is why I was looking at 5/23 for the SW Biz. Would I be able to move the SW Biz to 4/23? Maybe the end of April?

Thank you for the information regarding the CP and rebooking hassles. I did not know if I would need the CP in hand at the time of schedule release. I just started looking again at this summer's data for Hawaii to get an idea for our 2024 trip. The Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away plus were not available for return flights from Honolulu for the dates we would be returning if we were going this year. I just looked and there are now Wanna Get Away fares showing. If I am understanding correctly when I go to book my companion ticket it does not matter if the only fares available are Business Select or Anytime as long as there is availability in one of the categories? If that is the case then I do not need the CP when the schedule is released.

I did look at the historical openings and it is pretty inconsistent. Flights for 2018 and 2021 for July opened in August, 2019 in September, 2020 and 2023 in October, and 2022 in December. I was targeting mid-August as the earliest but it will probably be later. I just wanted to be prepared in case it was early.

If I cannot apply for the SW Biz until May would it be safer to wait until August to apply for the SW personal? I know 3 months is the recommended spacing and I do not want to have a problem earning the CP. Thanks.

You don’t need the companion pass until closer to the day you fly, I usually don’t book my CP until a month out because it’s a pain to rebook for a lower price, you need to cancel the CP then rebook your flight then rebook the companion. You can totally wait until May to apply for the Biz card.
We are going to do the same thing, DH and I each have the CP this year but need the CP for the first week in Jan 2024. We'll both apply for a Biz card later this year to extend our CP to 12/31/2024.

 

[amcc]

What route/dates are you seeing this on?

Miami nonstop to London. I'm seeing July for 30k up to 37.5k and August has the websaver for 25k for almost every day.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

If both BA and AA get the same jal flights at the same time that's not a plan b that's two different ways to book the same flight. With partner flights if it's not on one it won't be on the other.

To piggyback on this, BA releases the flights several days before AA, so booking with BA is always going to be the safest bet. Flights to Japan in biz class are usually gone before AA opens the dates. If you have United miles ANA biz class is an option.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I am not sure what possessed me, but I am thinking about going to Thailand, which will include the Conrad, Koh Samui next January. With that in mind, I went to the AC website to look at flight options and lo and behold there was 1 seat in 1st class on January 12th on ANA from ORD to HND, then biz class from HND to BKK. Knowing that the seat wouldn't be there long I booked it for 130k AP miles. I have a plan in mind to come back on Oman Air (1st class to LHR, then biz class home perhaps with BA), but will have to work through the logistics over the next few days (before they open up seats). I might tie in Bali and make the trip 3 or so weeks.

 

[R5Jedi]

Thanks so much for everyone's advice a few days ago, I ended up getting the United Explorer Chase Visa!

I've been looking at the benefits and saw that they give 3x points for buying gift cards through their app, one being Disney gift cards. I remember when I was a kid, my mom would pay for Disney gift cards at Target with her red card to take advantage of the 5% cashback offer, and pay for our park tickets and resort stays with those, and I was thinking maybe it would be a good idea for me to pay for my next trip with gift cards, and get the 3x miles.

Does anyone else pay for their trips this way? Is there another way that would be more beneficial?

 

[Crazed4DisneyinSC]

If you have United miles ANA biz class is an option.

what am I missing here? I thought the ANA biz class was through virgin? How do I check for ANA biz class with united miles? Our united flights are already booked, but I could cancel and get the miles redeposited if I found a better deal through ANA!

 

[afan]

To piggyback on this, BA releases the flights several days before AA, so booking with BA is always going to be the safest bet. Flights to Japan in biz class are usually gone before AA opens the dates. If you have United miles ANA biz class is an option.

It's entirely city dependent along with luck. I had no issues using aa to book jal but out if sea there is no 1st, which tech you'd think would make it harder. @DisneyMandC also did it but it was a 2020 cancellation. Not sure who else has, it's also mentioned as an option far more than ba is.